Under-19s earn Cup victory

A strong all-round performance by New Zealand Under-19s earned a 122-run win over Uganda at the Under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka.

New Zealand had failed to win either of their two warm-up matches and lost their tournament opener against Bangladesh but scored an impressive 259-6 after being put into bat.

Dean Bartlett then took five wickets for 30 runs as Uganda were dismissed for just 137.

After a 67 from opener Todd Astle, they slipped to 152-5 but contributions from Kieran Noema-Barnett (67) and Ronald Karaitiana (43 not out) took them to their very useful final total.

Noema-Barnett and Karaitiana added 96 in just 12 overs with Noema-Barnett’s innings spanning just 47 balls and including three fours and four sixes. Karaitiana’s unbeaten effort saw him face just 40 deliveries and hit three fours.

Astle held the early part of the innings together, batting for 147 minutes during which time he faced 113 balls and hit four fours before becoming one of Patrick Ochan’s three wickets.

Uganda found Bartlett too hot to handle and his opening burst, reducing them to 22-3, decided the match.

He said: “Back home a few people told us it was a spinner’s paradise but a couple of the New Zealand A players said some of the pitches had some grass on them.

“Today I cut down my pace and concentrated on line and length, getting the ball in the right areas and it worked.”

Uganda’s top-scorer was captain Hamza Almuzahim with 27 while Roland Semanda (21), Ochan (20) and Davis Arinaitwe (23) all got in without going on to make a substantial score.

The two sides are part of a group that also includes Bangladesh and the holders Pakistan and only two of the sides can progress to the Super League quarter-finals, which are played on Saturday.

Bartlett said New Zealand knew another win against Pakistan was vital to ensure Super League qualification.

“We definitely have to win that match and that creates pressure but Pakistan will start as favourites and we have nothing to lose,” he said.

“We just need to carry on. We have not played to our full potential but there is a lot left in the tank.”